What is the Church? Who is the Church? What’s the point of the Church? What’s your point? Are you part of it? How? Does it seem weird to anyone else that we connect “church” with the image of a Body or of a Bride?

The Church Every single time you hear the word “Church” you should automatically think of a group of people called out from the world and to God Ecclesia (Ek-klay-see-ah): Ek = Out from and to Kaleo = To call

Therefore Connect the Dots! Therefore, I, one who is bound (literally and figuratively) to the Lord (political ruler & King) stand beside and call you to carry yourself in a manor worthy of the calling (invitational) to which you were called (summoned).

The Point Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. vs.3 -Based on the reality that we are the called out ones. “The church is not the creator of this unity, but is called to display it, to make it manifest and to perform it.”

How? Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. vs. 2 -Emulating the humility of Christ. Philippians 2:6-8 -All centered in agape love: Choosing, preferential love which God demonstrates and prefers.

True Reality The Theology of “one” is what equips us for our goal! - Holy Spirit empowers: one body, one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope. - Jesus unifies: one Lord, one faith, one baptism - Father is ALL: One God and Father of all – above, through and in all

How? Part II But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. vs.7 -Grace is a free gift, Given to equip those called out for unity.

How? Part III When he ascended on high, he took many captives and gave gifts to his people. vs. 8 -Psalm 68:18 Almighty - David, Moses -Received gifts from the people – Gave gifts to his people. -Jesus destroyed sin and was raised to the heavenly places and is sitting in power and authority.

How? Part IV So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers vs lives worthy of our calling

How? Part IV To equip the Saints: FOR work of ministry, FOR building up the body of Christ, UNTIL all come to unity of faith AND knowledge of the Son of God. vs Build up and equip the Church -Body is the new temple (2:21) -Goal of unity is faith in action (1:17)

Calling & Unity Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind vs. 14 -Truth and Love: Those who divide the church are not humble or like Christ, the head. -It also demands we use the gifts Christ has given us by his Grace for the body.

Grow Up From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work. vs TOGETHER grow into him who has calls us, equips us and loves us.